Who We Are

E Rex Makin

Elkan Rex Makin was born in Birkenhead and moved to Liverpool when he was three years old.

Rex attended Liverpool College and then The John Bright School, Llandudno. He studied law at the University of Liverpool, gaining his LL.B and then an LL.M, before he started his own practice, E. Rex Makin & Co. He has an Honorary Professorship from Liverpool John Moores University and an Honorary Doctorate from Liverpool Hope University.

In his long career he has been involved in many high profile cases of local, national and international interest. These cases include the Knowsley Hall murder case (in which Lady Derby was shot), the Heysel and Hillsborough Stadium disasters, the Walton sextuplets and, after the conviction George Kelly case, he was instructed by family members with his involvement finally culminating in the quashing of George Kelly’s conviction.

He has provided legal advice to a variety of celebrities and sports personalities including John Lennon, Gerry Marsden, Bill Shankly, Anne Robinson, Ken Dodd and Carla Lane.

Rex was the family solicitor to Brian Epstein the Beatles manager and was credited with creating the term ‘Beatlemania’.

Rex has been active in the cultural and educational life of Liverpool where he lived. He was very in touch with local people and local issues and wrote a weekly column for the Liverpool Echo for 23 years. He was a former co-opted member of the council’s social affairs committee. He was also a former member of the Board of the Playhouse and Everyman theatres.

In 2003 he was appointed a Freeman of the City of Liverpool, the first solicitor to receive that honour. At that time he commented: “The ordinary people of Liverpool and I have had a long love affair. I’ve been there in all their disasters and most of their triumphs.”

Robin Makin

Robin Makin was born and educated in Liverpool.

He is a Solicitor-Advocate (All Higher Courts) and he has undertaken pioneering work. He has prepared and presented ground-breaking cases to the European Court of Human Rights resulting in the Government having to change the law. The Data Protection Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act were, in part, introduced to comply with the successful judgments he obtained.

Robin has acted in many high profile cases (including the James Bulger murder) and he is used to helping those in the media spotlight.

He acts for professionals including solicitors who have their own disputes and acts for those with claims against solicitors who have let them down.

Robin deals with an extensive range of disputes and deals with court proceedings, group litigation, mediation and arbitration.

He works for businesses and individuals including and providing advice on commercial matters, property, wills and trusts.

An opponent said of Robin:

“You were extremely professional, responded promptly, had a good understanding of the issues and you negotiated well. Far too many people fail to compliment good service when they receive it; and whenever I come across someone acting for the other side who does a good job I compliment them, and pencil them in for the next time I’m in a similar situation, and then I can ask them to represent me. Over the years that is how I have accumulated good advisors; who are commercial, practical and able to resolve things quickly and profitably.

Hopefully our paths will cross in the future, and you will be acting for me.”

Gill Scales

Gill Scales became a partner in 2005.

Originally from Liverpool, Gill studied at the University of Sheffield and later Chester College of Law and qualified with a specialism in Family Law with a Liverpool City Centre firm in 1996. Although Gill has lived in Yorkshire and Hertfordshire, she has settled in the North West and heads the firms Family Law Department.

Gill is a Friend of Centre 56, an organisation that provides information and support for women, children and families who have or are at risk of suffering from domestic abuse.

Aside from her management responsibilities, Gill deals with all aspects of Family Law including divorce, ancillary relief and Children Act cases and can be contacted via family@erexmakin.co.uk.

About Us

E. Rex Makin & Co was founded in 1949 by Rex Makin, Liverpool’s most famous solicitor. Rex Makin was also a weekly columnist for the Liverpool Echo for many years.

The firm started from a small office in Hackins Hey (off Dale Street) and grew over time to occupy more space in those premises.

The firm has expanded further over the years and has many dedicated, experienced and competent personnel providing services to clients. In 1978 the firm moved to its location in Whitechapel, in the heart of Liverpool City Centre convenient for its clients, transport and the courts.

The firm continues its traditional and wide ranging general practice, preserving old fashioned professional values for discerning clients and meeting the demands of the modern world to provide a comprehensive and efficient legal service.

E. Rex Makin & Co been involved in an extraordinary and varied array of legal work from the lowest courts and tribunals to the highest courts in this country and in Europe.

We have a wide spectrum of clients (individuals, businesses and public bodies). The firm has helped many household names and personalities from the world of music and entertainment, politics, sport and journalism as well as those thrust into the limelight because of circumstance.

From the straightforward to cases of the highest profile and complexity, E. Rex Makin & Co acts with resolute determination to do the best for its clients.

Why choose E. Rex Makin & Co

Decades of experience and our dedicated staff provide a wide range of legal services to individuals, businesses, charities and public bodies.

Recommended by reputation for our resolute determination to do the best for our clients. We are straight-forward. We have a no-nonsense approach to litigation as our opponents know and respect.

We deal with the simplest to the most complex matters – from minor injuries to catastrophic and life changing events in a sympathetic and professional manner.

We offer ‘no win no fee’ in suitable cases

We do not have gimmicks. We are clear and competitive in our prices and we do not have hidden costs and expenses.